Championship tour event number five takes place in the Pacific Ocean on the Fiji. Last month we wrapped up things in Rio, with local competitor Adriano de Souza taking home the victory in a tight final against Australian Adrian Buchan. Sousa is starting to have a huge impact in the overall standings and now is tied with Jordy Smith and Owen Wright in second position behind John John Florence.
Outerknown Fiji Pro Betting Tips
Namotu Tavarua is again the destination for this weeks event in Fiji. The island of Namotu is better known for the reef break found three miles south called Cloudbreak. Cloudbreak is one of the most challenging waves and ranks highly as one of the best waves in the world. This left hand reef has a reputation of holding heavy hollow waves that break along the shallow reef. You can't underestimate the sheer power and speed of Cloudbreak, because it can have a damaging effect if caught to deep. The forecast for the start of competition is looking promising during the week and into the weekend, with overhead conditions on the horizon.
Last year’s event saw Gabriel Medina and Matt Wilkerson go head head with Medina claiming victory after taking out Kelly Slater in the semi. Medina hasn't produced the goods so far, with last year’s Fiji event being his last CT event victory in the past year, he will be hoping to find some consistency to kick start his year off.
Every time we reach this time of the year we tend to mention the name Kelly Slater, the reason being is that the veteran has taking out this event out four times, including back to back victories in 2012-13. In more recent times he reached the semi’s last year only to fall short of a final appearance. He will meet Fanning and Durbidge in heat 12 of round one.
With a three way tie in second position Owen Wright continues to perform in all conditions. Wright has been consistent all year and in Rio he finished the event off by making the quarters. Wright won this event in 2015 in one of the greatest performances of all time. Wright finished with four 10 point rides for the event, with two of those perfect 10’s coming against Adam Melling in heat five. After missing the 2016 year, will he back up his performance of two years ago.
John John Florence is once again favourite to take out this event. He is yet to register a win at cloudbreak but has made the finals three out of the last four times. Will Florence get his long awaited win in Fiji and move ahead in the standings?
After missing the previous three contests with an injury Brazilian Italo Ferriero is back in the lineup which is good news and will compete in the first heat of round one against Andino and Joan Duru.
With the swell looking the goods we should see some action this weekend to kick things off in Fiji. Will we see the veterans like Fanning and Slater show Cloudbreak experience or will the world champ Florence close the deal on his first Fiji win?
TIP - Owen Wright - $8 at Crownbet
